Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to leave the island largely untouched as it passes to the island’s east this week.

However, the Bermuda Weather Service said the storm is still considered a potential threat to the island.

At noon today, Tropical Storm Gabrielle was still 390 miles southeast of Bermuda and travelling northwest at 12mph.

The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later today, but it is forecast to turn north and northeast tomorrow and Tuesday, steering it away from the island.

The BWS noon update said that the storm was expected to make its closest point of approach at 3pm tomorrow as it passes just over 200 miles to the island’s east-southeast as a Category 2 hurricane.

In a 9am forecast discussion, the BWS said that tropical storm force winds were not expected to reach the island.

“In fact, forecast vertical profiles continue to hint at a fairly dry and stable profile through both Monday and Tuesday,” it said.

“The wind forecast remains tied to how close Gabrielle passes with the UK model still being a tad west of the official National Hurricane Centre forecast.

“As such a blended approached has been utilised hinting at winds occasionally increasing 21 to 28mph, which currently is starting to look less likely.

“Southeasterly to easterly long-period swell emanating from the passing Hurricane Gabrielle are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, especially along south shore, soon diminishing on Tuesday.”

The BWS said: “A small craft warning is in effect for Monday morning through Monday night, mainly for rough seas.

“A thunderstorm advisory may be needed for periods on Monday though looks unlikely at this time.”

The US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its noon update: “On the forecast track, the centre of Gabrielle is expected to pass east of Bermuda on Monday.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 65mph with higher gusts. Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane later today, and rapid intensification is possible over the next day or so.

“Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the centre.”